FLOODS IN TARANAKI.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 19, 2 November 1938, Page 2

FLOODS IN TARANAKI.

SUP BLOCKS MAIN ROAD. (Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, November 1. Heavy rain throughout the day in the Awakino district resulted in the flooding of flat country about Awakino and in Uruti Valley. An extensive slip in Awakino valley is blocking the New iPlymouth-Aucldand road and is not expected to Ik? cleaned bebre midday to-morrow. Rain began throughout the North Taranaki district this morning and continued without diminution north of New Plymouth. Water this afternoon covered the main north road in Uruti valley to a depth of several feet, and only very high vehicles were able to go through. It was still raining heavily to-night, hut stock had been moved to safety and no losses were feared.

At Awakino, however,' the position is worse. There, flat land north of the township was under water. The Awakino river rose rapidly and tho tide was about to flow. With no cessation of the rain seeming likely further flooding and serious stock losses were feared.

A slip hjpgnn to fall on the main highway in Awakino valley, about seven miles north of Awakino, early in the day. Continuing until about 4 p.m., it had (rendered the road impassable. Its extent is such that a Public Works Department official estimates that it cannot he cleaned before midday to-morrow. A service car, hound from New Plymouth to Auckland which had just negotiated the big slip before, it completely blocked the road, was unable to' go more than a mile and a half farther for several small slips blocked the road. It was marooned for several hours. The driver hoped to continue the journey late tonight. There were no passengers aboard.